It was way popular, to the moon-and-back-and-on-to-Halloween-Town popular, it was so talked-about that people not even familiar with the 1993 stop-motion classic were all abuzz over it.

We josh: There's practically no one who doesn't know this film, nor the timeless work of Mr. Elfman, who provided both the music and the singing voice of the curious and empathetic skeleton who serves as the movie's charming and heroic lead.

It's a voice the former Oingo Boingo frontman took on the road, along with the film, a couple of years back, and now Mr. Elfman will be crooning "What's this? What's this?" before 17,000+ Burton buffs at the Hollywood Bowl on Halloween night.

Yes, it might be a tad cold up in the Bowl stands, as suits the story; Snow and Sandy Claws both play chill-making roles in the film.

Yes, it will be outrageously costume-y; fans are invited to dress up as Jack or his paramour Sally or Zero, the floaty dog, or Lock, Shock, and Barrel, a trio of evil little mischievians.

There shall be so much "Nightmare"-y goodness -- or badness? -- at the Bowl that the serious fan may feel overwhelmed. Best arrive when doors first open, well ahead of the 8 o'clock start time, to soak in all of the sights and wonders.

And best put your claws on a ticket sooner than later. Tickets go on sale via Ticketmaster -- this is a lease event at the Hollywood Bowl, do note -- on Friday, Sept. 18 at noon o'clock.

High noon is not a very Halloween Town-type time, it is true, but figure that even Jack Skellington longed to try new things beyond his dreary sphere.

And if you've never seen Danny Elfman warble live, with orchestra, to one of the most dearly loved and obsessed-over holiday films, well, be like Jack and get with the fresh experience.